E-cigarettes

An e-cigarette is a plastic electric cigarette with a heating element. It holds a nicotine cartridge containing liquid nicotine which, when heated, changes the nicotine into a vapour. The nicotine and other ingredients are inhaled into the body.

E-cigarettes are a comparatively new and rapidly evolving product. Many people are using e-cigarettes (also known as vaping) as an alternative to smoking tobacco. Research into the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes is still relatively new.

Because they're similar in shape and appearance to cigarettes, e-cigarettes can be helpful for people used to holding a cigarette.

Safety

Although e-cigarettes are almost certainly significantly less harmful than smoking tobacco, they aren't risk free. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive, as well as other ingredients such as propylene glycol, glycerine and flavourings.

E-cigarettes have been regulated by the government since May 2016. From April 2017 it's illegal to sell e-cigarettes to, or buy them for, under 18s.

If you use e-cigarettes as a complete replacement for smoking, you'll almost certainly benefit your health. The health benefit comes from stopping smoking, not using an e-cigarette. It will be some time until studies will show the long-term impact and any unforeseen risks of using e-cigarettes. More is known about the safety and effectiveness of other stop smoking medications.